‎”When we get enough money, we can open a new country called Team TLC Valley.” (January 2012)

‎”This wind is scaring the nerves off my butt!” (February 2012)

“I don’t want dessert. I’m too busy reading.” (April 2012)

“I’m so happy, I can’t stop my smile!” (April 2012)

“My eyes are sweating.” (April 2012)

“Everywhere we go is fun, even when I don’t think it’s going to be.” (April 2012)

“Mom, what’s my destiny?” (April 2012)

“You are my bestest Mom ever ’cause you help me learn stuff like how to fall asleep” (June 2012)

“You are having the most FUN when you are dirty. Isn’t that right Mom?” (June 2012)

“Love is located in the middle of kindness and happiness” (November 2012)

“Millions of questions flash in my mind every day. I can’t even ask them all in one day.” (November 2012)

“Keep the HappYness and beauty of Christmas not only in your thoughts …. but in your heart!” (December 2012)

“The more we spread kindness, the whole world will probably become more kind.” (January 2013)

“My life is like a book and someone is reading it.” (February 2013)

“I just hugged and kissed a pile of dirt. I need to rinse my mouth off now.” (April 2013)

“I’m the richest man in the World because I’m so happy. You are the best Mom in the World. Lillian is the best Sister in the World. I hope everybody in the World is this rich and finds the happiness that’s in them.” (June 2013)

“I like going for walks. They make me feel good.” (August 2013)

“When you do things that are good for the Earth, you do things that are good for you.” (April 2014)

“I just wanna walk up to people, tell them I love them and give them a hug” (May 2014)

“I can’t help it. I was made this way. I was made to be loud.” (October 2014)

“I love Bernoulli numbers. I just love thinking about them and looking at them.” (February 2016)

“This is blissful. Do you know what that means? It feels spiritual. It makes you feel good and happy that you’re alive.” (April 2016) (Said as he was painting a rock.)

“Imagination is a nice thing. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to make all the cool things we can with it.” (May 2016)

“Would anyone believe that playing with sticks and walking and splashing in the water would be so fun?” (September 2016)

“We’re the weirdest people I know.” (November 2016)

“I feel like I can see the future in my dreams …. Because I always feel nostalgic.” (November 2016)

“You are so weird. I just want you to know I really like that about you.” (December 2016) (Said to me …. HA!)

“A little bit of craziness keeps me sane.” (January 2017)

“If we had a house made out of chocolate and potato medallions, I’d live there forever.” (January 2017)

“I’m always asking questions about life. I just want to know. Is that okay?” (February 2017)

“My brain, heart, and stomach are happy!” (February 2017)

“Have you noticed that sometimes I smile just because I’m alive?” (June 2017)

“When did someone decide that we needed to learn by being taught instead of learning by trial and error?” (June 2017)

“Everyone stores rocks in their sock drawer, right?” (June 2017)

“I’m so happy! What’s the highest level of Happy that exists?” (June 2017)

“The people who created the formulas and rules were drunk.” (July 2017) (In response to discussions about SSI/SSDI/Medicaid/Medicare relating to Lillian.)

And most recently – November 2017 ….

At dinner Thomas asked, “If you could go back in time and spend time with someone, who would you choose?”

While I was thinking of what to say, he shared his answer. He would go back to when Hitler was a kid and encourage him to attend art school.

I didn’t even know what to say after that. Selfishly, I had been thinking Buddha, Jesus, or Gandhi simply to be amongst their energies.

So incredibly grateful for having Thomas be a part of my life … xoxo

____________________________

Thomas Birthdays of the Past:

November 13 2016:

The gifts and the cake ….

He wanted cheesecake for his cake. So that’s what I made for him with shaved dark chocolate on top. Oh my YUM!!!

He so loves and enjoys reading National Geographic so I got him a subscription for the print edition. Lillian made a handmade card and then a “mystery box” (which he renamed a “memory box”).

With help from me she collected items from around the house to put in the box and then she handmade a coupon for one stone or crystal from Stone Age with some of her own quotes on the back. Other goodies from The Romano Duo!!

“We’re the weirdest people I know.” ~Thomas Darnell (11.8.16) …. To which we both burst out laughing and let even more weirdness ensue. It’s true. I’m not your average person, nor the average mom. But, that’s another story for another time ….This one’s for Thomas ….

Happy Happy Happy 11th Birthday Thomas!!!!

Here’s to you! As you begin your 11th trip around the sun, may you live your life to the fullest. You have blessed me with countless gifts from the moment you joined us.

Your tender heart combined with your honesty, compassion, and empathy are indeed precious. Rounded out with your true confusion as to why age seems to be such a big deal in this world, by way if its limitations; have made for interesting, fun, and life shifting adventures and conversations. Your soul knows no age and you have not forgotten that.

“It’s like I’ve lived this life before, I have nostalgia almost every day, like I’ve experienced this all before.” said often by Thomas.

Snapshot of Thomas: Some of his favorite topics are minecraft, LEGOS, coding, math, and learning about topics that interest him. He loves fibonacci numbers, bernoulli’s equation, and the law of infinite probability. Some of his most cherished things to do are reading, being outside, going on adventures, and swimming.

And as of about two weeks ago, has a PUBLISHED BOOK!!! Wahoooo!!!

He asks a billion questions, makes funny noises, teases his sister too much, has sensory processing issues, gets overwhelmed in crowds and noisy places, takes longer than the average person to process questions asked of him ….

He calls me out when I’m not “doing” as I say, he holds the biggest freakin mirror in front of me when I need it most, and he has a heart of gold.

Thomas, I love you throughout all of time and all dimensions and am blessed we chose to be mother and son in this life.

PEACE and LOVE …. PEACE and LOVE …. PEACE and LOVE ….

___________________

November 13 2015:

What do I say that I haven’t already said to celebrate this wonderful, kind-hearted, shining young man? It really matters less what I say about and to him as opposed to how much it matters how I live my own life, what I mirror and how I react to life’s situations in his presence.

That’s the amazing thing about having kids. It’s like having an accountability partner 24 hours a day, a walking vision board, a mirror even; to remind you of how you truly want to live your life. This is also why I, and others, claim that our kids are one of our greatest teachers. They mirror for us qualities about ourselves that we want to shift and remind us of our own philosophies and words of wisdom when we most need to hear or see them.

My birthday wish for Thomas is that he never forget the qualities of his soul. That he is an empathetic, kind-hearted being of love, that he never misses out on an opportunity to spread loving-kindness when he is urged by his inner light to do so. That he never lets me or another adult tell him his thoughts and ideas for spreading loving-kindness won’t work or are silly. That he discovers the treasure that he holds in his heart and share that treasure with all other beings. That this bring him all that he desires – success, prosperity, affluence – all wrapped in the love shared by others. And, that he always remembers to have fun and laugh while living this life.

Thomas,

May you never let your light be dulled by outside influences, may you remain true to your heart, and may you always strive to BE mindful. There are no words to describe the depth of love I feel for you. YOU are a true gift …..

Thomas chose sushi for dinner and then we made the cake. I must have been so giddy (or so tired) that I put 1 cup too much water in the mix. Only realized it when I put it in the oven. I thought if looked way to runny. Oops!! Took it out and added coconut flour, almond flour, another egg, more vanilla, more coconut sugar, and some cocoa. I was thinking at least it would cook and be solid even if it didn’t taste good (Lillian was on the verge of a meltdown due to my oops moment). Turned out yummy and meltdown averted! YAY!!

______________________

November 13 2014:

For 8 years now I’ve had the pleasure of this person’s beautiful light in my life. It ain’t been all roses and butterflies, yet it’s been perfect and just as it should have been and is. I am thankful for all that he teaches me and will continue to teach me.

I painted a rock for him and made a card filled with love and (hopefully) words of wisdom … along with an apology for not having more for him. This morning he gave me a huge hug, told me he loved me and that it’s okay and that it doesn’t matter. So blessed, I am.

Some people say, “I can’t believe (s)he is already 8 years old.” I think to myself, “I cannot believe he is only 8 years old!” ….

“Today, on HIS special day he came and got me, told me to close my eyes and led me to his room. He said he had a gift for me. When I got to his room I removed my hand from my eyes and he had beautifully made his bed! Take my breath away … HE had a gift for ME on HIS special day! This was more of a gift than … ”

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY THOMAS!!!!! You came right into this world without any hesitation the night of November 13, 2005 and you haven’t stopped since! I am grateful and blessed in a way I cannot even describe that you came into my life and keep me learning and growing.

I’m enjoying every minute of observing you on this journey of discovering your gifts and talents and am so excited to see how you use them to serve others. You have taught me patience, not taking actions and comments of others personally, and have furthered my true understanding of releasing judgements of others. You inspire me to be the best teacher and guide to you and your sister that I can be.

It’s been a wild and crazy (and fun) adventure and I’m thankful to you for inspiring me to go deeper. within myself to be the best that I can be.

_________________________

November 13 2011:

Happy 6th Birthday to the handsome superhero Thomas! One who, at times helps me understand why some people don’t want kids, and at other times melts my heart, makes me laugh so hard my face hurts and one whom has added to and enhanced my journey for the better.

He teaches me how to be a better parent and gives me tremendous incentive to learn how to teach him respect and how to make good choices. Thanks for the wild and crazy ride young man . . . always an adventure with you in our lives . . . Love YOU to pieces!

_________________________

November 13 2010:

Happy Birthday today to the one whom makes my heart happy dance and melt with every hug, every kiss and every “I Love You”. Happy 5th Birthday to my son Thomas. You crack me up with your imagination and add to my JoY in an indescribable way!!